127 Yucatan Girls Aged 10-14 Pregnant: Urgent Call to Action

This year, Yucatan has reported 127 pregnancies in girls aged between 10 and 14, according to data from the State Population Council (Coespo). Dr. Ligia Vera Gamboa, a researcher and advocate for sexual and reproductive health, states that 99% of these cases are due to child sexual abuse.

Dr. Vera Gamboa emphasizes the physical and emotional consequences of these pregnancies, as these girls are in crucial stages of growth. She finds it unfathomable that some people deny the option of abortion in such circumstances.

She also highlights that pregnancy in young girls and teenagers is not just a health issue but also a societal and cultural problem. Yucatan has one of the highest rates of child sexual abuse in the country, with most perpetrators being family members or close acquaintances. Dr. Vera Gamboa insists that this can no longer be excused by any cultural or traditional reasoning.

Coespo has also reported over 500 pregnancies in teenagers aged 15 to 19 this year in Yucatan. While the state doesn't rank highest nationally in this category, the number is still alarming and indicates a need for more effective preventive measures.

Dr. Vera Gamboa clarifies that advocates for decriminalizing abortion are not promoting it, but rather defending each individual's right to make decisions about their own body under the best possible conditions. She hopes for a world where pregnancies happen only when desired and at the right time for the individual. However, she acknowledges the reality is often different due to cultural, social, economic, and gender influences.

She urges for efforts to change cultural norms that perpetuate these instances of violence. This includes not only allowing the termination of pregnancies in cases of abuse but also transforming the conditions that lead to such situations and preventing them from happening.

Dr. Vera Gamboa calls on authorities and society to improve comprehensive sexual education, establish sexual abuse prevention programs, and ensure access to sexual and reproductive health services. She stresses the urgency of addressing this issue with a comprehensive approach that protects girls and teenagers, guaranteeing them a life free from violence.